Ferry services and all other water transport operations with Hatiya upazila in Noakhali were suspended on Sunday due to adverse weather and rough waters in the Meghna River.
The suspension, enforced from Sunday morning, has effectively severed Hatiya’s water links with the rest of the country.
Passengers were seen waiting at Nolchira and Chairman Ghat throughout the morning, but no ferries, speedboats or passenger trawlers were allowed to operate as the Meghna River remained rough.
Tofazzal Hossain, master of the ferry Mahananda, said ferry operations had been halted following the issuance of Warning Signal No 3 because of the inclement weather.
“Ferry services will remain suspended until weather conditions improve,” he said.
Mohammad Rezaul Karim, assistant port and transport officer at Hatiya Coastal River Port, said the Meghna had remained rough since early morning, with tidal water levels rising above normal.
“In light of the adverse weather conditions, all government-operated vessels on the Hatiya Chairman Ghat-Nolchira Ghat route have been ordered to suspend operations. The suspension will remain in force until further notice,” he said.
Officials urged passengers to avoid unnecessary river travel and advised them to monitor weather updates before planning their journeys.
